Diary of a Penguin Intern: Day 8 - Rejection

     So today was a very quiet day in terms of big news, exciting announcements and contacting exciting writers. Today was mostly spent sending out rejection e-mails. This was actually pretty nice, as, and this will please budding writers, we mean what we say!

Many people will have a novel rejected and think it’s the end of all things. No-one loves me, everyone hates me writing, I’m a FAILURE.

Now, actually read the reply. Does it give any constructive feedback? Is there a line in it that indicates they’ve got beyond page 3? Do they say that this just isn’t right for them? Well! Stop moaning! I’ve been reading manuscripts the past two weeks and paying attention to each one. Each one has been different and has obviously been laboured over. Every time I read a manuscript I remembered how hard each word has been slogged over and have treated each one with the respect it deserves. But me, lowly intern, isn’t the only one that does this. If you send a solicited (from an agent) manuscript to a publisher even as big as Penguin, chances are someone will read it. That someone may not want it but LISTEN to their experience. If they say it isn’t right for that publishing house then it isn’t. A literary publisher is not going to publish the next 50 Shades. So be realistic about what you’re writing. Be proud of your chick-lit novel, be aware that you’re writing a fantasy book. Be honest with yourself about what you’re undertaking and what you’ve produced. That’s how you can start to begin the process of getting published.

Don’t be disheartened if the publisher you like only publishes 20 books a year. That’s still roughly two a month, and think how long it takes to read, edit, tweak, design, print, re-print, review, sell and generally create each book. Plus, think how much crap gets sent in frequently and don’t be disheartened to think your book is in a pile. A lot of unworkable and rubbish stuff is also being sent in.

A lot.

A lot of unsuitable novels are turned away simply because they don’t suit that publisher.

Anyway, apologies for brevity. My sister fed me and wined me last night and we watched a show all about robot penguin camera (AMAZING). Hence this only being written and put up on Friday! THE LAST DAY *sad face*

Thank you for your thought-provoking comments and employability advice – I thought I’d take the subtle approach and wear a t-shirt saying PICK ME PICK ME.

Can’t hurt can it?

So I’m here early, I shall smile, I shall listen and be kind, I shall make tea and generally be the model employee. It might not get me a job but making friends in this world is never, ever a bad thing.

Until this evening! I’m off to read my final manuscript…

Charlotte.xx